For the Record - Southwest Virginia, September 2010

Alleghany Regional Hospital in Low Moor has applied to the state to open the region’s first geriatric psychiatric ward. ARH’s parent company, HCA Southwest Virginia, wants to transfer 15 psychiatric beds from Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem. If approved, the new center would create 50 full-time equivalent jobs. (The Roanoke Times)

Hollins University completed the largest fundraising campaign in its history with a final total of $162 million, about 30 percent over its goal. The campaign began in 2002 and closed in June. (The Roanoke Times)

Lewis-Gale Medical Center applied for permission to open a neonatal intensive care unit. The $3.4 million project would provide eight beds for treating babies born with complications. (The Roanoke Times)

New River Valley Airport in Dublin undertook a $5 million upgrade of its facilities, resurfacing the runway, adding lights, leveling a buffer zone and completing work for a future taxiway extension. (The Roanoke Times)

Shelter Alternatives Inc., a Blacksburg designer of green building solutions, received the Best Green Business award from the Virginia Sustainable Building Network. The City of Roanoke also received honors for Most Sustainable Community Program for its Clean and Green Campaign. (News release)

Virginia Tech’s entry in the Solar Decathlon Europe won top honors for efficient structure. Tech students from the sciences and business teamed up to construct the solar house. A total of 17 houses from seven countries were judged in 10 categories at the event held in Madrid, Spain. (News release)

Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute will undertake the largest brain study ever conducted. To be called the “Roanoke 15,000,” the brain study will be modeled after the Framingham Heart Study, which followed patients over the course of their lives since 1948 to identify heart function and diseases. The brain study will document functions of normal and abnormal brains and genetic links. (The Roanoke Times)